Ascension Lutheran Church

In our text from the book of Revelation, sometimes Jesus speaks directly, and other times the
Apostle John, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is speaking. Jesus begins by saying, “Behold” –
“See!” that is, “Pay attention!” Jesus has something very important to tell us, and we need to
listen. Jesus says, “I am coming soon.” It has been almost 2,000 years since John recorded those
words, so why hasn’t Jesus come yet? Speaking of Jesus’ second coming on Judgment Day Peter
says, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is
longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to
repentance. … You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall
from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace
and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:9, 17-18a). The Judgment Day
hasn’t come yet because God is giving people time to come to faith in Jesus so they can go to
heaven. Until the Judgment Day comes Jesus urges us to remain in our faith in Him so we’re
ready whenever He comes again